Considering the magnitude of this game, I'm gonna keep this one brief.

There have been plenty of memorable, season-changing games between the Vikings and Packers at Lambeau Field. The 2017 meeting will most likely not add to that lore, since the Pack faces unchartered waters: playing a meaningless game in Week 16.

There was no question that the team would put Aaron Rodgers on ice, once they were eliminated from the playoffs. So Brett Hundley gets one more prime time showcase and it's against a motivated division rival. We'll see whether he's up to the challenge on a bitterly cold night on a field where he has struggled in each of his starts.

He won't have his trusted sidekick Davante Adams this time. Adams will likely be shelved for the final two games, recovering from a second blistering, illegal hit that has him in the concussion protocol. He was the one Packer who I believe was snubbed in the Pro Bowl voting, deserving the spot that Hall of Famer-to-be Larry Fitzgerald got. His ten touchdowns lead all NFC receivers and he managed 74 catches playing most of the season with an untested, backup quarterback.

There will be a lot of changes coming for this organization in the offseason and some tough decisions. The easiest call will be to sign Adams to a deal that pays him like the wide receiver royalty he has become.

The biggest change could be the "resignation" of Dom Capers. The unit is in dire need of new leadership, along with some veteran re-enforcements at OLB and CB. After a season of horrific third down and red zone play, the defense is ready for a major re-boot. There will be an opportunity in these last two games for some young players to show if and where they'll fit in 2019. With Clay Matthews and Nick Perry likely out on Saturday night, young pass rushers Kyler Fackrell and Vince Biegel should get a chance to show how they're developing. The same holds true at cornerback. I hope they'll give some snaps to Donatello Brown and Lenzy Pipkins. This is the rare chance to trot them out there, since the consequences aren't that meaningful.

There's nothing I'd like more than to damage the Vikings' hopes at a high seeding and I do think the Pack will be competitive in this game. I think both Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones will have success running the ball, but ultimately Case Keenam will make enough plays and Jerick McKinnon will go all Christian McCaffrey on the defense and the Vikings will make enough plays to get out of there with a win.

Vikings 24 Packers 17

P.S. There will be no "Packer (P)review this Sunday. It was KFAN's call: they have no run available to run the board. We'll be back for the season finale on 12/31. It's just as well. I'm taking my son Jackson and his buddy to the game (father of the year), and now they won't have to deal with me doing a radio show from our hotel room. Have a great Christmas, everyone.

Post a Comment:

Name

Website:

Email

Comment

Please Enter the Validation Code Below

Comments (25):

Enjoy your weekend off Davey, thanks for all you do for us Packer fans throughout the season. Excited to see some of these young kids in games that don't matter, they have nothing to lose, and I'm looking forward to next year. I think things will be mighty different 12 months from now.

Jason from Wasecaon December 22nd, 2017 at 02:21pm

Don't despair, David. I will keep the Vikings from blowing the Packers out with my yellow hankie. Like I always do. I'll also allow the most overrated defensive player ever--Clay Matthews--make a load of dirty hits!

Cheating Refon December 22nd, 2017 at 12:46pm

The Packers are tanking the season now so these final two are about as interesting as a preseason exhibition. But there's madness to the method. Teams that finished 9-7 or 8-8 last year were picking 15th-20th in the draft order last spring. Those that were 7-9 picked 14th-9th. With a shipload of picks in their hand in 2018 moving up into the top 12 or so could really land the Packers a haul as they reload, recharge and upgrade for their big rebound next year. As for the Stinkqueens game; as nice as it always is to beat them this time it is more important to give them a physical beating. They owe the Pack big time for what they did to Aaron Rodgers. Taking down a half dozen or so of their starters won't balance the books but anything they can do to help ruin things for their old rival in January will be a positive. Nothing illegal, mind you, just (how did they say about the Barr hit?) "unnecessary."

Packerliferon December 23rd, 2017 at 03:59am

I see the Pack wining 35 to 3 tonight. And the surprise for all of you is they'll get into the playoffs and end up winning the Super Bowl.

Dave from Maple Groveon December 23rd, 2017 at 04:01pm

to bad that the focus of this game will be the treatment the fans give Anthony Barr. As the NFL Live crew said Friday, It was a clean not dirty hit. Packer fans need to get over it. To bad this game as many other s at this time of year are unwatchable as there are so many teams playing for nothing. Sunday Browns vs Bears, can't wait. Browns getting first win against the North doormat. Look up Pacer fans you and Vikings fans have something in common, Vikings fans are waiting, expecting the shoe to drop. Packer fans are Praying for it to happen. So Keep it clean folks It is only a game. Let's see if the Vikings can overcome the 2 forces listed above. burrrr.

NFL fan firston December 23rd, 2017 at 04:09am

Wahhhh! People are mean to me here! *sobbing*
I have no friends because I'm a Packer fan! *weeping gallons of tears* Or maybe it's because I'm a whining crybaby?

2packon December 23rd, 2017 at 04:25pm

MM Here …… Are you ready for PRIME TIME ? …. no, not Deon Sanders …… Brent Dudley ! …. A few short weeks exposed to my surreal coaching ability has transformed him into a OT winning SUPERSTAR ! ….. Now here's the dilemma – Who's going to Start next year ??? … Rodgers or Dudley ??? ...Ah well, we'll cross that and many other Rubicons when the time comes…..One more thing. Who the H is Lenzy Pipkins ??? ….. I never heard of him…..MM out.

Mike McCarthyon December 23rd, 2017 at 06:45am

Looking forward, this situation with the Packers will probably benefit them in the long run. They now have a better idea of what needs to be addressed, and what doesn't. The offense is in much better shape than the defense, which has been a liability for some time. I don't expect Capers to be back next season, as this squad needs a shot of fresh blood since there seems to be a disconnect between defensive coaches and players. That being said, the D still needs an infusion of talent. And remember one thing for these last two games - if any fans think that any player or coach has any thoughts of "tanking it" for a better draft pick, you're DEAD WRONG! These guys are professionals to the core - don't expect ANYONE to "mail it in". The Packers are playing for jobs, not a high draft pick. GO PACK!!!

Voiceon December 23rd, 2017 at 07:19am

Wow, nice field conditions for such a sacred place. Did it rain their all week or something?

Gregon December 23rd, 2017 at 11:22pm

Fire Don Capers.
Hire Jim Leonard.

Ray Jon December 24th, 2017 at 07:42am

Our playoff appearance streak came to an end last week, anyway you look at it that's impressive. Congrats to the Queens, so now what? I said earlier in the year it's about January football, we'll see. How confident are you about your squad the next 7-8 years in a row making the tournament? The system is set up for worst to 1st for parities sake. Can the Queens sustain the run? I say not. Hell when was the last time you won back to back division titles much less your last SB appearance? Look it up! Good Luck moving forward but slow your roll till you bring it home. Merry X-Mas to all my fellow Packer Backers!

otismymanon December 24th, 2017 at 10:09am

Let me say congratulations to the Minnesota Vikings for winning this hard fought game. Clearly the better team won. I will say that I was at the game and I was horrified by the behavior of Viking fans! They were complete azzholes! That skol chant at the end was humiliating, disrespectful and completely unnecessary!!!! fans in Wisconsin would never act like that in an opponents stadium. You fuckers ought to be ashamed!!!! Aaron and the Packers are even the score next year. Book it!!!!!!!

MinnPackFanon December 24th, 2017 at 11:52am

Wow. Never have I seen a team mail it in as much as the Pack did tonight. I'm pretty sure a lot of players were patiently waiting for their first moment of contact to feign an injury and spend the rest of the night by the heaters. What a weak ass fan base as well. Being "owners" of the team, I expected a the majority of the half packed stadium to be packer fans. Not the case. Funny to see a fan base quit so easily once they know the team has nothing to play for. But I'm guessing most of the owners were already passed out in piss soaked sheets by 5:30 anyway. At least their spouses get an early reprieve from drunken beatings when the team loses a playoff game....

Mailingitinon December 24th, 2017 at 12:11am

Let's see if I have this right: The mighty Queens needed to win for playoff seeding so they weren't letting up. But up against the Packers' second, third and fourth stringers they could only muster 16 pts? In the final 45 minutes just 2 field goals? Cross the goal line only once? Run up 236 yds against the 21st ranked defense in the league? ( Three less than the Packers offense gained.) Have a third down conversion rate of only 4 for 15? The Packers stopped themselves more than the Queens stopped them. Looks to me more like a .500 team that's gotten very lucky this season. Play the Bears, the Bucs, the Browns and the Bengals and you've for a third of your wins right there. Just a handful of plays difference would have cost you at Chicago, Detroit, Washington and Atlanta. Play New Orleans, LA or Baltimore on the road and before they really gelled and there would probably be 2 or 3 fewer wins on the record. Of course you did eliminate Aaron Rodgers. With ARod and a healthier team the sweep this year would have been for Green Bay. It's almost as if the Stinkqueens made a deal with the devil to play in a Super Bowl in their own stadium. But as the famous story of Faust shows; the devil always wins the deal. How does it end next month? A missed kick? An interception or a fumble? A "Hail Mary" of some sort. Or just a good, healthy team just whip you as in "41 donut.?" Maybe you will be the first team to play a Super Bowl in your own place and end up also the first 0-5 franchise in Super Bowl history. I can hear Paul Allen bawling now, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not again!!!!!!"

Packerliferon December 25th, 2017 at 05:50am

There is very little difference between the packers f1rst unit and second unit. It's like some of you never watch them.

Gregon December 26th, 2017 at 07:52pm

I wish I could be a fly on the wall in Packerlifer's room when he is watching a packer game every Sunday. I'm sure tantrums are thrown, along with remotes and pillows, and after a loss his whole week is ruined. It must really be hard for him knowing each season, his savior will get the team so close to another super bowl appearance, only to fall short time and time again sometimes in humiliating fashion. Tell me what it's like to live a day in the life of packerlifer, please?

Goingonheretomesswith"packerlifer"liferon December 26th, 2017 at 12:09am

Was Herr Sinykin also placed on IR ??? He so far has had No comment on that Clutch performance Sat. night from Brent Dudley and company.lol.

Fudge Packerson December 27th, 2017 at 01:54am

Clearly MN Packer Fan has never been to a Packer-Vikings game in MN when the pack has won because pamper fans always chant “go pick go” all game and even louder when they win. Not sure what is so disrespectful with SKOL chants by purple fans after that ass whipping they put on at Lambeau Sat night. The only embarrassing thing was how the Pampers played.

WI Viking Fanon December 27th, 2017 at 02:12pm

I was one of those Purple fans that was SKOL Chanting in the lower bowl of seats at the end of the game. Just some quick observations. I want to thank the "best fans in sports" for the cheap tickets. My crew bought great seats in section 120 right behind the Packler bench for $20 each. I guess the season ticket holders needed to recoup some of their investment. Secondly, man did the Packlers completely mailed it in. Getting shutout at home against your division rival -What an embarrassment! Lastly, the field was a slippery mess unfit to play on. Who the F is your groundskeeper Carl Spackler? Enjoy the post season from your couches Packler fans. We all know that there isn't enough beer in Sconny to take away the butthurt of watching the Vikings win the big game in their own stadium.

Barf Starron December 27th, 2017 at 09:31am

This season has been a total clusterfock!!! Can you believe that TT and McFarty have wasted yet another year of AR prime putting together this pathetic group of misfits and mental midgets that have no chance of winning a title? Quality organizations that have the good fortune of drafting or acquiring HOF quarterbacks, parlay that situation into multiple SB championships. The Packers have had back to back HOF QB's and have only managed one ring each. What a waste. We need to clean house by firing the GM, coach and everyone in the front office!!!

Oscaron December 28th, 2017 at 01:55pm

Everybody talks about firing MM and TT and Capers. Why does nobody ever mention Mark Murphy he is the President and CEO of the packers. All he seems to do is make appearances at pep rallies. In my opinion Murphy goes first get a whole new strategy from the top down.

Jasonon December 28th, 2017 at 03:54pm

Aaron Rodgers apparently skips Christmas with family amid feud: _____Who did he spend it with? The Jonas Brothers I presume ???

Fudge Packerson December 29th, 2017 at 01:33am

Looks like Siny has thrown in the towel, waved the white flag, and is mailing it in on his blog just like his beloved Pack has done this season. What a shame we wont get his spin on the ass whooping at Lambeau, and his promising that next year should be different.

Wavethewhiteflagon December 29th, 2017 at 01:50am

Tamis, I feel you brother. I also married into a Viqueens rooting family. I had to leave Christmas dinner this year because the queen talk was literally making me sick to my stomach. It has actually caused numerous fights between me and my wife and things are a little rocky in our marriage. When you care about a team as much as us Packer fans do, often very little else matters. I’ve tried to explain this to her over and over but she doesn’t understand. I know next year we will be back on top in the North, but right it’s just, it hard....

Rodgersforpresidenton January 10th, 2018 at 11:34am

I've posted on the Vikings before and don't want to be redundant, but I feel this outlet provides me comfort and I won't get destroyed by in-laws at family gatherings. I love the Packers. Truly. Their success brings me a happiness I cant explain. I've tried passing this on to my young daughter (>12), and see progress in my efforts. It's an emotional connection (emotional being the key word) that I think lacks some fan bases in the end......To this point it is important to remember that first and foremost I cheer for the Packers to win. I could never cheer for them to lose. I don't care how much I dislike Capers, MM's play calling, TT's drafting, or Murphy's effed up teeth. They're the Packers and I want them to win.
Ok.......I've sat here in my hotel room thinking of more stuff to say as to why the Vikings can't/won't win the Super Bowl and it's useless. I just ****in hate them. Living in MN for 11 years and being surrounded by their douche bag fans has caused me deep scars. (If anyone knows how to spell irrepudable let me know). I didn't think marrying a MN girl who doesn't give a lick about football would be a big deal, but I forgot about her Viking loving family and douche bag brother (she has another brother, but he's cool.) The same brother who had the balls to text me after the Tampa game last week and say "I'm not a big fan of your new quarterback." Like I give a **** what you think of Hundley you frontrunner!
Anyway to keep things short.... Packers must win, and they must win out. I know there are a bunch of x4'ers who think this will be a negative, but it won't. ANYTIME they have 12 a them helm they are relevant and a threat to win the SB. Who in the NFL since 1992 (25 ****in years) than the Packers, minus New England who is an effin machine, has been more the mold for continuous success? Get over MM's play calling, and to an extent Dom's trials in dealing with late 1st Rd draft picks., We are spoiled as fans.
This leads me to my last point......Winning out obviously means beating the Vikings on 12-23, and most likely getting GB the 6th seed. (How many times I delete "we" with "GB". (Don't want to be one of those guys). Given their need for MN to win in Carolina next week, all probability is that MN is a top seed, and as all of us know that sets up a probable Round 2 playoff match-up. As fans this is the match-up we need to complete the dominance of that self-entitled franchise. To have AR win a Lombardi Trophy potentially on the same field he played 2 post season games after being knocked out would be historic. And good for "The Family"